CHAPTER CLII.

_The Chapter of building a house_(1.) _on earth._


O rejoice, Seb, _N._ has been set in motion with his vital power ... he
has given to men and gods their creative strength.

There is cheering, when it is seen that Seshait(2.) has come towards
Seb; when Anubis has commanded to _N._: build a house on earth, the
foundations of which be like On, and the circuit like Cher-ābā; let the
god of the sanctuary be in the sanctuary. I also decree that it should
contain the sacrificial victim, brought by slaves, and held up by
ministrants.

Said by Osiris to the gods in his following: come hastily, and see the
house which has been built for the glorified, the well equipt, who
cometh every day. Look at him, hold him in awe, and give him praise,
which is well pleasing to him.

(3.)You see what I have done myself, I the great god who cometh every
day. Look ye, Osiris brings me cattle, the south wind brings me grain,
the north wind brings me barley as far as the end of the earth.

I have been exalted by the mouth of Osiris(4.), applause surrounds
him(5.) on his left and on his right.

Look ye, men, gods, and Chus, they applaud him, they applaud him, and I
am well pleased.

NOTES.

The text here translated is that of the Papyrus of _Nu_, with a few
variants taken from contemporary texts.

1. The ⁂⁂ here mentioned is the abode of the ⁂, where it is
worshipped and receives offerings. In the vignette of Pap. Busca (Ik),
the plan of this abode is like the funerary constructions discovered at
Nagadah and Abydos.

2. The goddess ⁂ is often connected with building (Chapter 52).

3. Here the deceased begins to speak himself.

4. I translate ⁂⁂ the beating in measure as the musicians do, the
regular applause so often heard in the East.

5. The person changes, as is often the case in such texts. The deceased
speaks of himself in the third person.

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PLATE LV.

BOOK OF THE DEAD.

[Illustration: CHAPTER 153A. =Louvre, III, 93.=]

[Illustration: CHAPTER 153A. =Louvre, 3084.=]

[Illustration: CHAPTER 153A. =B.M., 9900.=]

[Illustration: